New Options for Varicose Vein Removal in North County San Diego
Whether you call them ropey, knotted, bulging, twisted, engorged, or enlarged, most people call varicose veins a problem. They are unsightly, may cause discomfort, and can lead to more serious health problems. Dr. Amanda Lloyd brings contemporary options for varicose vein removal to patients in North County San Diego.
Vein Problems Through the Ages
There is evidence throughout recorded history that mankind has been troubled by varicose veins:
- They are discussed in a 1550 BC papyrus.
- In ancient Greece, problem veins were irritated with a wire.
- Hippocrates pioneered the use of compression therapy.
- Valves in veins were described in a 1603 medical text.
- Over time, surgery and stripping became go-to treatments.
- Injectable sclerotherapy got its start in the mid-1800s.
A Modern Approach
Sclerotherapy remains a viable treatment for spider and reticular veins. A sclerosing solution is injected, triggering a chemical reaction that causes small veins to close and the body to harmlessly absorb them. Laser therapy can be an alternative to sclerotherapy or used in conjunction with it, to treat superficial veins. In this non-invasive procedure, energy from an ExcelV laser is absorbed by heme (the pigmented component of blood), eliminating the targeted vein.
Treatment for larger veins has also evolved. Endovenous laser vein ablation utilizes energy from an Nd:YAG laser, guided by real-time ultrasound, to close the greater saphenous vein. The greater saphenous vein is the tree trunk from which all bulging ropy “branches” stem. Therefore, treating this vein is essential. Additionally, varicose veins that feed from it can resolve as a bonus to this procedure. Endovenous ablation can also be performed chemically, using ultrasound guidance to treat the twisted bulging ropy veins that do not resolve after endovenous laser ablation of the greater saphenous vein.
Venous disease is a serious condition with a significant impact on quality of life. While it is often associated with aging, problematic veins can occur in anyone – any age, either gender, and all ethnicities. If you are one of those who suffer, isn’t it time to get back into cool clothing with comfort and confidence? Call Skin and Vein Institute at (760) 642-6674.
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